Linotype-machine.



No. 798,994. PATENTED SEPT. 5, 1905. P. T. DODGE.

LINOTYPE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 25, 1904.

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w i/Y/mwow/ PATENTED SEPT. 5, 1905.

P. T. DODGE.

LINOTYPE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 25, 1904.

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UNITED STATES OFFICE.

PHILIP T. DODGE, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO MERGEN- THALER LINOTYPE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

LlNOTYPE-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 5, 1905.

Application filed November 25, 1904. Serial No. 234,253.

To a, whmit it nuty concern:

'York,have invented a new and useful Improvement in Linotype-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has reference to hIergenthaler linotype-machines of the general organization represented in Letters Patent of the United States No. 436,532 and kindred machines, wherein individual character matrices are assembled temporarily in line in combination with expansible wedge-spacers, commonly known as justifying-spacers. In these machines as heretofore constructed the matrices have been delivered successively in a common downward path into a channeled assembler, wherein they were arranged or assembled in line. The matrices, lying on one side in an inclined position, move endwise toward the end of the line, to which they are joined by a movement carryingthem sidewise and at the same time bringing them to a vertical position. The justifying-spacers were permitted to fall endwise into the line from a magazine arranged in the same vertical plane as the assembler, so that they passed to their operative positions without movement in an edgewise direction. This arrangement of the matrix-guides and the spacer-magazine compels the location of the spacer-magazine at one side of the matrix-guiding channels and necessitates the location of the magazine at an objectionable distance above the assembling level and prohibits the use of the magazine and usual spacer-deliveringdevices at a central point in connection with a wide magazine.

The aim of my invention is to overcome these ditliculties; and it consists, broadly, in the employment of means whereby the spacers are advanced into the line with a movement in an edgewise direction in addition to their falling movement. This permits the employment of a spacer-magazine in a more advantageous relation to the line, as will hereinafter more fully appear.

IVith the exception of the parts hereinafter described, the machine may be of any ordinary or suitable construction. The drawings are limited to those parts which are immediately associated with my improvement.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l is a front elevation of the magazine and assembling mechanism of a linotypc-machine with my improvements incorporated therein. Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the same on the line 2 2. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section on the line 3 3, Fig. 2. Fig. 4: is a perspective view of one of the expansible wedge spacers or justiliers.

Referring to the drawings, A represents a channeled magazine wherein the matrices will be stored and from which they will be delivered at the lower end, one at a time, by means of any ordinary or suitable escapement mechanism connected with finger-keys. In the drawings I have represented the ordinary escapement B connected by actuating-rods O and intermediate devices with finger-keys D, the keyboard connections being the same as in the commercial linotype-machine.

E represents a plate with a series of channels through which the released matrices descend from the magazine to two carrying-belts (i G, which are inclined, respectively, downward from the right and left to a central point, where they deliver the matrices through a central channel between guide-plates H H into the horizontal channel or assembler I in front of the rotary star-wheel J, by which the matrices are pushed forward horizontally one after another into the assembler against a yielding resistant K, whereby they are assembled in a compact line.

L represents a magazine for the expanding wedge-spacers M, which are constructed in the usual form. (Shown in Fig. 4.) In the form shown the magazine is similar to that employed in the Mergenthaler machines, consisting principally of two parallel side plates having their upper edges inclined downward to the right in order to sustain the matrices by the shoulders or lips at their upper ends and direct them downward toward the chute N, through which they descend to join the matrix-line in front of the star-wheel.

The spacer-magazine L instead of being located, as heretofore, in the same vertical plane as the assembler and channels E, so that the spacers may fall directly and vertically into the line, is located in front of the channels and assembler and in a different vertical plane. In other words, the spacer-magazine L is located forward of the assembling-belts and in a plane parallel with the plane of the belts. The chute N, through which the spacers descend, is extended downward and deflected edgewise in such manner that its lower end will direct the descending spacers into the passage through which the matrices descend and thence into the assembler I.

The release of the spacers is eifected by the ordinary escapement devices 0, connected through intermediate devices with the fingerlzey P in essentially the same manner as in the Mergenthaler machine.

In the 'Mergenthaler machine a single assembling-belt is used, and this for the reason that the spacer-magazine must be located in the same plane with and beyond the belt. This fact necessitates the use of a magazine contracted in width at its delivery end. My arrangement of the spacer-magazine in a vertical plane outside of the vertical plane passing through the assembler-belts, channels E, and assembler I permits the use of two assembler-belts extending in opposite directions from the spacer-magazine. The employment of the two belts in turn permits the use of a magazine which is very wide in its mouth and which may contain a large number of channels or channels adapted to carry thick matrices for type of large sizes. It is also possible when the magazine is located in a vertical plane different from that of the assembling devices to place it at a lower level than heretoforethat is to say, nearer the composed line. In this manner the distance through which the spacers are required to descend may be shortened and the danger of transposing spacers and matrices lessened. There are also other and minor advantages unnecessary to detail herein.

It is to be understood that the form of the spacer-magazine, the construction of the releasing devices, and the form and construction of the devices for guiding the spacers into the line may be varied at will within the range of mechanical skill to meet the peculiar requirements of different machines without departing from my invention, providing only the spacers pass to the line with an edgewise movement.

In order to prevent the matrices which descend in converging lines on the respective belts from colliding at the center, I prefer to extend one belt to a lower level than the other, as shown in the drawings, and to give one of the guide-plates H a corresponding depression. The essential point in this arrangement is the delivery ofthe matrices from different directions at different levels to the passage or throat leading to the assembler. It is to be observed that although the carrier-belt G is extended to a lower level than the belt G the pulleys are so located that one belt does not overlap the other or project matrices against the other. Each belt delivers its matrices directly downward into the central vertical throat; but the matrices from one belt reach this throat at a lower point than those from the other belt, and this prevents collision of the matrices approaching the central line from opposite directions. A clear distinction is to be drawn between this arrangement and one in which converging belts are so arranged that all of the type are finally received against one of them. As an additional means of preventing collisions between the converging matrices two of the vertical guide-plates e e are made flexible or hung on pivots at the upper end, so that they may swing right and left at the lower ends, as indicated indotted lines in Fig. 3, so that the matrices may descend past them and the spacers descend between them.

I believe myself to be the first to combine with means for bringing the matrices sidewise to a common assembling-point means' for delivering the expansible spacers edgewise into the matrix-path and directing them thence downward endwise into the line.

Having described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a linotype-machine, the combination of means for delivering matrices in converging lines to an assembling-point, and means for delivering wedge-spacers edgewise into the matrix-path, that they may thereafter descend endwise into the line.

2. In a linotypemachine, matrix-assembling mechanism and a spacer-magazine arranged in parallel vertical planes, in combination with means for directing the spacers edgewise to a position over the assembling devices.

3. In a linotype-machine, converging carriers for delivering the matrices sidewise to a central assembling-point, a spacer-magazine in a vertical plane outside of said carriers, and means for directing the wedge-spacers from said magazine ed gewise between said carriers.

4. In a linotype-machine, the combination of a central vertical throat and two upright matrix-carrying belts converging in a downward direction and terminating at different levels, each belt arranged to deliver its matrices directly to the intermediate throat, with out contact with the opposite belt, whereby the conflict of matrices approaching the throat from opposite directions is prevented.

5. In alinotype-machine, the two converging carrier-belts Gr, Gr, the intermediate guideplates H, H, the spacer-magazine L, located in a vertical plane outside of the carrier-belts, and the conductor N, extending downward from the said magazine and deflected laterally to deliver the spacers edgewise between the guide-plates.

6. In a linotype-maohine, the converging carrier-belts G, G, the vertical channels E, for directing matrices to the belts, the vibratable tongues e, e, and a chute N, arranged to ceive the matrices and expansible spacers; a throat for guiding the matrices and spacers thereto; upright matrix-carrying belts approaching the throat in converging lines from opposite sides; and means for delivering the spacers vertically to the throat between the belts.

8. In combination with the two converging belts, the two intermediate movable tongues,

and means for delivering the spacers between the tongues.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand, this 9th day of November, 1904, in the presenceof two attesting witnesses.

PHILIP T. DODGE.

Witnesses:

JOHN F. GEORGE, K. L. BRENNAN. 

